Friday's Clippers Shootaround - Time for the Dress Rehearsal

by Steve Perrin on Oct 23, 2009 1:15 PM PDT in News

I stopped by Playa Vista today for the Clippers' shootaround in advance of tonight's final pre-season game, the dress rehearsal for the season if you will. You know, I wasn't in practices last year, but I've heard stories. This team is loose - as Jack Black might say, "loosey-goosey baby, loosey-goosey". (But let's hope they're not, as Billy Zane might say "limber, too limber.")

I chatted with Mike Dunleavy Sr. for a few minutes after the walk through ended. Here's what he had to say:

Marcus Camby was participating in shooting drills at the end of the shootaround when I was there, but that's the first court time he's seen since Craig Smith landed on his ankle a week ago. He hasn't practiced yet, won't play tonight against the Hornets, and coach doesn't know what his status will be for opening night. It's possible that he could be out, on restricted minutes, or that he'll be fine. Other than Marcus, everyone is available to play tonight.

Coach is pleased with the pre-season overall. He's happy about the conditioning in particular, which is much improved over last season. He also likes the chemistry, and feels he's been able to see some good combinations on the floor during games. While he doesn't put any stock in the pre-season record (as well one should not), he's also pleased with the on-court results, and owns up to preferring wins over losses, even in pre-season.

I asked him about the efficiency of Blake Griffin in the last few games and he couldn't say enough positive things about his prize rookie. As we've noted here, Blake is getting everything he gets right now within the flow of the game, just by being active and athletic and basketball smart. In MDsr's words, they're not 'force-feeding' him. It's much easier to work him into actual NBA games (one that count in the standings) knowing that he can be effective and efficient without having to have plays called for him. It's a bit of a cliche I'll admit, but for now Blake can let the game come to him, which is a good thing at the start of his NBA career.

I also asked the coach about the starting lineup, and as you would expect, he was non-committal to the point of saying... well, nothing we didn't already know. On the small forward, he fell back on the fact that Al Thornton has been hurt, and said he didn't know who would start on Tuesday, nor who he considered the starter at this point. As we suspected, he said it would likely be situational based on matchups.

At the big spots, where Camby's injury is a factor for the opening tip of the season, it was a similar story. He doesn't know who the starters are, wouldn't say who would start if Kaman, Camby and Griffin were all healthy, and again believes it could be situational. (By the way, if you're anxiously awaiting Part 2 of my starters post, it will be a bit of a wait yet. Not only am I simply not done, but I also don't want to publish anything until after the Hornets game tonight, because I want it to be able to stay at the top of the front page awhile. Monday morning first thing at the very latest, I promise.)

The most telling sight at the shootaround, other than the aforementioned loose and upbeat feeling of the group, was
Baron Davis, once again drilling with assistant coach John Lucas after most everyone else had left the gym. Lucas sets up three cones beyond the three point arc - one straightaway, and one on either wing - and Baron starts under the hoop. Lucas drops a ball at one of the cones, and Baron must collect the ball behnid the arc before it bounces a second time, then make a move and finishes at the rim in one dribble. If it doesn't sound that tough, try it yourself. Lucas, as we suspected at the time he was hired, has become Baron's mentor. As Lisa Dillman reported last week, when people talk about an unmotivated and out of shape Baron Davis from last year, Lucas doesn't recognize that guy. The test will of course be the regular season, but Baron is putting in the time in pre-season, that much is certain. He's the only Clipper to have played in all seven pre-season games.

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I'm absolutely loving the addition of Lucas.

There are so many factors that make this year’s team different from last, but having Lucas work with Baron is such a difference maker. I really don’t want to think of how it would be if we hadn’t picked him up. My question is…if things go really well, does he stay next year? Dunleavy only has a couple years left on his deal, could he be transitioning in his successor? I know that there are a lot of Dunleavy haters, and I have had my beef with him at coach as well. However, I think he has been a huge positive to this organization and I would hate to see what would happen if he left and we were without an adequate replacement in the management position. He’s convinced Sterling to change from his old ways. I wouldn’t want to see any regression if Dunleavy was no longer in the picture.

by Lawler 4ever on Oct 23, 2009 1:48 PM PDT reply actions

Recognizing your shortcomings.

I hope if this works out that MDSr. gets the credit Doc Rivers did for bringing in Tom Thibodeau and Mike Brown did for bringing in John Kuester. Both recognized their “talents” were only for one side of the court, offense and defense respectively, and then were hailed for bringing in someone to offset their shortcomings. One of MDSr.‘s weaknesses, he unfortuantely has more than one, is not connecting with his players (re: Davis, Baron ’08-’09). I think bringing in a character guy like Lucas was a great move, and a sign (if not an explicit one) that MDSr. recgonizes he needs help.

by Gordon for President on Oct 23, 2009 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions

i would love for MDsr to take up full time status in the executive suites

and make Lucas coach!

Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"

by Lawler's Law on Oct 23, 2009 1:59 PM PDT reply actions

Is tonight's game going to be on the radio?

I’m likely going to be on my way to the Nike race so I can’t watch.

by Newton Pham on Oct 23, 2009 2:13 PM PDT reply actions

980

KNX 980 7:30

by sttrumpet on Oct 23, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Holy crap

That drill sounds exhausting!

by banandy on Oct 23, 2009 2:15 PM PDT reply actions

Lucas is the man.

as far as starters maybe we will see
BD
EJ
BG
Camby
Kaman

Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.

by HVYDRT007 on Oct 23, 2009 2:25 PM PDT reply actions

I agree!!

Lucas is just what we need!!!!

Sorry for being naive, but does EJ=Eric Gordon?

If so, I love this line-up!!!!

by sttrumpet on Oct 23, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions

EJ is Gordon

by Michael White on Oct 23, 2009 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Eric Gordon Junior

Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.

by HVYDRT007 on Oct 23, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions

his family calls him EJ cause his dad is EG

by figgifig on Oct 23, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions

on the 27th. that is

Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.

by HVYDRT007 on Oct 23, 2009 2:26 PM PDT reply actions

Hmmm, that lineup against the Lakers

BD vs Fisher
EJ vs Kobe
BG vs Ron?
Camby vs Pau (or Odom if Pau can’t go)
Kaman vs Bynum

I think it could work…

by banandy on Oct 23, 2009 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes, and then sub Sool for EJ and AT for BG and move BG to the 4 and pull,

Camby or Kaman at the 5.

Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.

by HVYDRT007 on Oct 23, 2009 2:42 PM PDT reply actions

Will Paul, West, or Okafor even play?

Chris Paul has had a cold, David West an ankle sprain, Okafor a sprained toe, and none of them played in the Warrior game last night. The Hornets lost by 34. Amusing.

My Daily Shot-in-the-Dark Prediction: New Orleans is overrated, their bench is downright lousy, one of their big three will get injured this year (overplayed), and the team won’t make the playoffs. That’s right, I said it.

by silverman on Oct 23, 2009 4:08 PM PDT reply actions

I think the Hornets can make the playoffs

Only because Chris Paul is that good. He reminds me of KG back when he was in the Twolves. The superstar that carries the whole team on his back to the playoffs. But all championship teams have more than 1 superstars and David West and Okafer arn’t those type of players.

by peterghost on Oct 23, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions

I say Paul won't be good enough, because the western conference is THAT strong

Except for Phoenix. I think they’re overrated, too. My hunch is that Nash decided to stick around knowing that he’s lost more than a step. NO will go 43-39, which might be enough to slip past the Suns. But not the Clips.

by silverman on Oct 23, 2009 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions

A Chris Paul-Byron Scott Problem

It’ll be interesting to see how the Hornets do in the aftermath of the playoff meltdown/minor mutiny. There are all sorts of reasons to be skeptical about their prospects. Still, Chris Paul is a major talent who would have been able to will them into the playoffs singlehandedly back in the day. West is really effective, and they have other weapons, and we’ll see how Okafor adds to the mix.

But no one seems to be talking much about the Byron Scott—Chris Paul situation. It’s probably a topic in zones of deeper Hornet analysis. With BDavis on the Clippers, there’s a small window into the conflict. BDavis did not relish playing for Byron Scott, and Chris Paul seems to be experiencing the same thing. Scott isn’t a player’s coach, from what I understand, and he stays in tough guy mode. Something might have to give as that team moves forward, and Chris Paul would seem to hold more cards than BScott.

by citizen zhiv on Oct 25, 2009 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree, just look at the Blow Out they got handed last season in the Playoffs,

NOH are done. No more post season for a couple seasons at least.

Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.

by HVYDRT007 on Oct 23, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Check the facts

So the Western Conference is that much better now + New Orleans got blown out of the playoffs last year, so this leads you guys to believe they won’t make it this year???

Last year, New Orleans had to deal with a horrible/hurt Peja AND Tyson for much of the year but still made the playoffs. This year they are banged up a bit at the start, but West is a warrior and Okafor should be good to go at the start of the year. Peja is still a huge ? but at least they’re deeper now.

As far as strength, most have concluded that the East is getting better. Two seasons ago, it took 50 wins to make the playoffs in the West. 48 last year. So where is the reasoning?

I'm no commie, but the Reds shall be the best again!

by RedHopeful on Oct 23, 2009 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know? maybe loosing by 50 in the playoffs says somthing about Heart and Coaching,

the Hornets are done, last place in 2009-10 awaits them, sorry. And Okafor is finnished too, the guy is healthy now and still won’t play by his chioce not the teams.

Everything starts out New, Gets Old and Dies or is Destroyed.

by HVYDRT007 on Oct 24, 2009 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Wasn't this the Long Term Plan?

Coach brings in Lucas, first to compliment him, then to replace him on the floor?
Baron is Lucas’ easiest student, not one of the head cases that could unravel during the season…Thornton, Kaman, Bassy and RickyD, in no particular order. Best of luck.

by laknights on Oct 23, 2009 5:13 PM PDT reply actions

Great Report

It’s great to see that the Lucas-BDavis relationship is blossoming so nicely. It makes a lot of sense. It’s nice for Lucas to work with somebody who needs guidance, motivation, and clarity on the basketball court, but who is solid and even pretty special in terms of his life off the basketball court. They seem like they could be a great team together, coming around at an auspicious moment.

Looking at BDavis, and even noting the BSimmons note about seeing him (Simmons is extremely bullish on the Clips, although I haven’t finished reading his preview yet) and being impressed by his physical transformation, makes me think of the FElton makeover before the 05-06 MVP-worthy season. Add to that another nice recent piece, DJ Foster’s "Hopes and Fears #4: Chris Kaman, where he does a good job of breaking down the Kaveman’s return to LA in great shape, and MDSr’s steady stream of compliments, including the early glowing review from Lucas. Kaman seems poised for a 2.0 effort, and he’s going strong and hitting shots.

The amazing (hey Amazin!) thing would be if the Clips were able to put together two MDSr program/FElton/CK2.0-style physical upgrades, from their two key guys. Plus adding Griffin, having a healthy Camby and sophomore Gordon plus a new bench and DJordan (does that guy have a nickname? seems like a good candidate). Plus John Lucas.

by citizen zhiv on Oct 23, 2009 6:02 PM PDT reply actions